The staff at Qdoba, a Mexican restaurant at 2222 Black Rock Turnpike, was busy training Monday in anticipation of its Thursday opening.

The staff at Qdoba, a Mexican restaurant at 2222 Black Rock Turnpike, was busy training Monday in anticipation of its Thursday opening.

Photo: Genevieve Reilly

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Qdoba, a Mexican restaurant chain, is opening its second Connecticut location Thursday at 2222 Black Rock Turnpike. Chris Pace, the district manager, describes the food as "fresh-Mex."

Qdoba, a Mexican restaurant chain, is opening its second Connecticut location Thursday at 2222 Black Rock Turnpike. Chris Pace, the district manager, describes the food as "fresh-Mex."

Photo: Genevieve Reilly

Qdoba Mexican Grill brings 'fresh-Mex' fare to Fairfield

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A new Mexican restaurant is the latest addition to the town's burgeoning menu of dining options.

Qdoba Mexican Grill opened just after the start of the new year at 2226 Black Rock Turnpike, but don't call its food "Tex-Mex" -- it's "fresh-Mex," according to Chris Pace, district manager for the restaurant chain.

Pace was at the restaurant -- newly built on the site of the former Fairfield Pools -- last week as the staff went through some final training.

"We have a lot of neat, signature flavors," Pace said. "I think that's what differentiates us from the competition."

There are more than 600 Qdoba restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, but the Black Rock Turnpike location is only the second in Connecticut. The first opened in May in Norwalk, and another is planned in Westport in the spring.

"The Fairfield location on Black Rock Turnpike seemed to be the best location for us to enter such an active and engaged community," said Megan Wallace, a public relations specialist with the business.

The Qdoba menu includes such entrees as a queso burrito, an ancho chile BBQ burrito, Mexican gumbo and a 100 percent vegetarian burritto. There are also taco salads, tacos, grilled quesadillas, handmade tortilla chips and "hand-smashed" guacamole. A children's menu is also available, as is catering.

Wallace said Qdoba regularly looks for ways to support its local communities through fundraising or sponsorships, and interested groups should email community@qdoba.com.